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Show i 1 Jn - X;v,. ill I -J . ' ' J - Y'v 4tu? x X'r ALCOHOL RECOVERY CENTER Two residents of the county's new alcohol recovery center enjoy family-room atmosphere in basement where they help each other through socialization and by sharing common problems and concerns. needed to help us." the middle-aged woman adds. The staff helps make it possible for her to say of the center. "It gives us a new life." he continues, noting the saying by Father Joe Martin: "I've seen a lot of people who are too smart to get sober." SPEAKING further of those who may be afflicted Mr. Kelly says. "How many do we see trying to intellectual izc (the problem). Some are instant alcoholics. Others are social drinkers. Some were shy and retiring at an early age and this gave them nerve so more and more they relied on it." He spoke of a noted psychiatrist in Los Angeles who paid taxes on a $50,000 income in 1954 when that amount was worth a lot more than today. In 1955. he didn't have to pay any taxes. He was still in the downtown area where he'd previously worked, work-ed, now unemployed selling wine bottles to buy more alcohol. come their problem for many years. Jim Kelly notes a change, though, in perception and reaction to alcoholism. "THERE'S A lot more community com-munity awareness than there was in 1974 (when he entered the county scene). I don't think the (county) commissioners commis-sioners knew then (how serious se-rious the problem was). Now they're aware." But with the help of well-knowns such as Betty Ford and increased coverage cov-erage in the media, where people peo-ple are shown getting well, eyes are opening. "I feel very fortunate they (county) had an ARC or I might be out on the street still drinking or dead." Joyce says. "Due to this 1 have a happy sobriety. It's a good thing to know you've got other alcoholics alcoho-lics you can talk to. We help each other an awful lot. By TOM BISSFLBF.RG CLEARFIELD -- Without the county's alcohol recovery center, here, one resident says she'd either be drunk out on the street or dead. JOYCE. ONE of a dozen residents re-sidents at the center that's been open since mid-July, has nothing but praise for the I'acil-itv I'acil-itv operated by the Davis County Mental Health department depart-ment in a residence at KN) S. Slate. Among her duties, she serves as cook and adds a 'woman's touch" to the co-ed center that currently houses tnl men. When the transitional care facility opened, a lot of eyebrows eyeb-rows were raised and comments com-ments aired-many of them cri-tical-but the residents feel attitudes are changing as the purpose of the center, and the attitude of its residents-becomes residents-becomes known. "I THINK we're getting more and more support. I think when they found out we weren't we-ren't peddling marijuana. ..We keep such a low profile." she adds. The facility is housed in a spacious house that looks like the sort you would conjure up when you think of going to grandmother's house for Thanksgiving, for instance. While the exterior hasn't been changed, much, the interior in-terior has taken on the looks of a "home." as much as possible. possi-ble. There was little in the way of furniture hen it opened, no washer or dryer. Improvements Improve-ments are still being made by Steve, a volunteer carpenter-electrician carpenter-electrician and former program prog-ram resident. Much of the furniture has been donated and many hours were spent by interested in-terested county residents in securing the house. THE RESIDENTS are drawn from throughout the county and are employed in a variety of occupations. Most gel up in the morning, go to work and come back at night, just as in a regular "at-home" situation. An 1 1 p.m. curfew is imposed and residents aren't granted "leave" for the first 30 uays. They attend three meetings meet-ings a week, in addition. But they also all have chores and can spend free time in a basement area that looks like a family room, complete with couches and the warmth only a burning fire in the fireplace can bring. "WE NEED to reach a point where we're a little more comfortable com-fortable without a drink than with one. It takes an attitude change. You've got to like what is looking back at you from the mirror." Mr. Kelly emphasizes. That moment of remorse, when you know what a "no-good" "no-good" you are and may think of suicide must be replaced by a feeling that you know you can go on. TVE THOtGHT many times I might not be alive. I'm a chronic alcoholic. I owe a lot to this place-because I'm alive." she says. Another resident. Brian, says the center serves as "a place to stay away from alcohol alco-hol and those who use it." "BITLDINGS like this are here for us to try and get sober." so-ber." says another resident named Bryant. "That's our only problem--our drinking." A visit to the center points to the fact "drunks or alcoholics are hardly the stereotyped wino or skid-row character as so often portrayed. BIT IT takes time, he adds. "When you spend your whole life centered around drinking it takes a lot of effort, for many of us to build up so much denial of that (so-called) ray of sunshine sun-shine from a drink." The center is open to anyone who feels they may need a boost. Joyce notes, speaking of a couple of people who don't live there, but stop by. occasionally, occa-sionally, when they feel "rocky", can get a word of encouragement en-couragement and a cup of coffee cof-fee and go on their way, a bit renewed. "WE HAVE a fantastic staff. They'll take any time "I THINK more and more we see a lot of prominant people peo-ple (admit to having such a problem)." Mr. Kelly says. "For years there was the stereo-type of the drunk who was a wino. Some of us can't tolerate booze like others. "I don't care what your social so-cial or educational background-! come from loo good a family (for that theory to hold sway). Some can't tolerate it." THE CENTER serves as the meeting place for Alcoholics Anonymous, where record numbers (40-45 or more) have been drawn since it moved there, as well as for Al-Anons (for women) and the young people's AA group. Overseeing the program is a man who has "been there" as a one-time alcoholic who has worked to help others over- |